Guatemala Volcano Adventure: Pacaya, Acatenango & Fuego

Today you warm up with a hike on active Pacaya, a superb introduction to Guatemala's volcanic landscape. You drive from Antigua to the trailhead and hike (or ride a horse part-way) up through pine forest onto vast fields of black, hardened lava, crunching across the surreal moonscape with spectacular views over the surrounding volcanoes, including Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. On active days you feel the warmth of the ground and see steam and glow from vents, and your guide may roast marshmallows over the natural volcanic heat. The hike also helps you acclimatise for the bigger climb to come. The drama and scenery are captivating. As the day ends, you return to Antigua to rest and recover. This evening, enjoy a hearty meal and an early night. Rest well, for tomorrow you begin the great ascent of Acatenango.

Today you make the classic overnight ascent of mighty Acatenango, one of the great adventures of the Americas. After an early start and a briefing, you drive to the trailhead near La Soledad and begin the demanding but rewarding climb, hiking up through farmland, dense cloud forest and alpine scrub, gaining altitude steadily with your mountain guides and porters carrying camp gear. By afternoon you reach a high camp on Acatenango's flank, facing its restless neighbour, Volcan de Fuego, across a high saddle. As darkness falls, you watch Fuego erupt again and again, hurling fountains of glowing orange lava and ash into the night sky, thunder rolling across the valley, one of the most thrilling sights on earth. You dine at camp and sleep under the stars. The spectacle is unforgettable. Rest as best you can, high on the volcano, before a spectacular dawn.

Today you rise in the cold pre-dawn dark for a spectacular high-mountain sunrise, then descend back to Antigua. The keen and able make the final steep climb by headlamp towards Acatenango's summit ridge (almost 4,000m) to watch the sun rise over a sea of clouds and volcanoes, with Fuego still puffing ash below and, on clear days, distant peaks stretching to the horizon. After sunrise and breakfast at camp, you pack up and make the long descent back through cloud forest and farmland to the trailhead, tired, exhilarated and full of one of the great adventures of your life. You transfer back to Antigua to shower, rest and recover in comfort. The achievement and beauty are captivating. As the day ends, you relax in Antigua. This evening, celebrate your climb over a fine dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the crater lake of Atitlan.

Today you journey from Antigua to the stunning crater lake of Atitlan to unwind amid yet more volcanoes. You drive up through beautiful highland scenery to Lake Atitlan, descending to the shore of this stunning volcanic crater lake ringed by three soaring volcanoes, San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan, and dotted with traditional Maya villages. You settle into your lakeside hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing after the exertion of the high volcanoes, perhaps swimming in the lake, kayaking on the calm water, or simply gazing across to the volcanoes from a lakeside terrace. The beauty and calm are captivating. As the day ends, you watch the sunset paint the volcanoes and lake. This evening, savour the lakeside restaurants and the peace of the crater lake. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the lake, with the option of a sunrise volcano climb for the keen.

Today you explore the stunning crater lake of Atitlan, with an optional sunrise volcano climb for the keen. Early risers can climb Volcan San Pedro or the lower Indian Nose ridge with a local guide for a spectacular dawn over the lake and volcanoes, a memorable final volcanic adventure. Otherwise, you enjoy a relaxed morning by the lake, then cross the deep blue water by boat to explore its traditional Maya villages, such as artistic San Juan La Laguna with its weaving cooperatives and the Tzutujil town of Santiago Atitlan, each with its own dress and character. You take in the scenery, the living culture and the lakeside cafes. The beauty and calm are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your lakeside hotel. This evening, reflect on your volcano adventure over a final lakeside dinner. Rest well ahead of your departure.

After a final morning by the stunning crater lake, you journey back through beautiful highland scenery to Guatemala City and La Aurora International Airport for your onward international departure (we time the drive comfortably around your flight). You leave having taken on the spectacular volcanoes of Guatemala, hiking active Pacaya across its black lava fields, making the great overnight ascent of Acatenango to watch Fuego erupt in the night, and unwinding on the stunning crater lake of Atitlan, all from a base in beautiful colonial Antigua. The images stay vivid long after you land, the moonscape of Pacaya, the fountains of glowing lava from Fuego, the dawn over a sea of clouds, and the volcanoes mirrored in Lake Atitlan. Guatemala offers volcano adventure, drama and beauty in abundance, and you depart with the pride of a great climb and already dreaming of a return to this spectacular land.